Die mechanism and method



Aug. 3, 943- E. M. AMESBURY arm. v ,3 9

DIE MECHANISM AND METHOD v Filed June 28, 1-939 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 m Ink -/6 i 00 I 10 7 10a I INVENTORS 5 EARL M AMfSBl/RY, JAMES G. MACORMAC/f .SEWARD M. ROBERTS a; FLEC/f W. SAMPLE ATTORNEY Aug. 3, 1943. g. M. AMESBl JRY ETAL I 2,325,929

DIE MECHANISM AND METHOD Filed Jun e 2a, 1939 -s sheets-sheet 4 INVENTQORQS EARL M. AMESBU/PY, JAMfS G MACORMACK SEWARD MRQBERTS 5 FLECK VMSAMPLE ATTORNEY g- 9 a M. AMESBURY ETAL 2,325,929

DIE MECHANISM AND METHOD Filed June 28, 1959 s sheets-sheet 5 IINVENTORS EARL M. AMESBURY, JAMES G. MACORMACK SEWARD M. ROBERTS I; FLCK W. SAMPLE ATToNEY Patented Aug.'3,.1943

.UNlTED- STATES PATENT OFFICE DIE MECHANISM AND -METHOD Earl M. Amesbury, Chicago, 111., James G. Macormack, New York, N. Y., Seward M. Roberts, Chicago, lll.,-and Fleck W. Sample, Forest Hills, N. Y., assignors to American Flange & Manufacturing 00., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Illinois Application June 28, 1939, Serial No. 281,506

Claims. .(Cl. 153-1) This invention relates' to mechanism and methods for securing closure bushings in place in openings in sheet metal container walls. Drums, barrels and pails intended for the transportation, storage and dispensing of liquids, such as oils, gasoline and chemicals are the types of containers with which the invention is most commonly concerned. The walls .of such containers are formed of relatively thin'sheet metal and have mounted therein screw-threaded flanges or bushings formed for the effective, leak-proof reception of closure plugs. Commonly two openings of different sizes are provided in the containers under consideration; one for filling and the other for discharging; and each is formed to not only receive a leak-proof closure plug to assure safe transit of the contents, but to receive a faucet, pump or like dispensing means in place of one or the .other of such closure plugs when the container has reached its destination. The flanges or bushings of the type contemplated herein are usually secured in the container wall by pressing or forming operations and the construction and manner of mounting of said flanges or bushings is such that they remain in leak-proof engagement in the containen wall opening throughout the life of the container.

Heretofore it has generally been the practice to perform two distinct operations to complete such securing, the first of which concerns the perforation of the container wall and formation of whatever embossing, or the like, is desired around the opening and the secondof which concerns the introduction of the flange or bushing into the open-- ing and the securing of the same in place therein. In order to perform these operations on an economic commercial scale on either the nead or wall of a container, the practice heretofore generally followed required the use of twice as many presses and twice as many sets ofdies as there were openingsto be equipped with fianges or bushings. At least one workman was needed to operate each press with a helper or two for the group of presses in order to remove th finished products and keep the operators supplied with sheets and flanges. Of course, the container walls can be stored up after the first operation has been performed and the dies changed, so that the same press may be used for the second operation. Such changing of dies, however, takes considerable time and this practice is not economical in a plant of any size. Furthermore,

containers of the types under consideration are only made up on order and are usually not ordered until they are needed in a hurry.

With this prior scheme of operation, the

chances of failure and consequent interruption of the process of manufacture are multiplied by the number of die sets and number of presses employed. The probability of such interruption occurring is seen to be very likely from a consideration of the refinements or the die parts employed, the 'cbntinuous operation or the presses and the fact that the labor employed'is unskilled and often careless of such features as the proper lubrication and exact setting of the dies and die parts. It is also to be borne in mind that breakage ofdie parts is costly. This cost is generally not borne by the user of the dies, unless indirectly, since such dies and die parts are, in most its limitations and the limitations were such that the mechanisms colfld not be relied upon for general application of all sizes of bushings under all conditions. The construction of the instant invention, on the contrary, is completely reliable for all sizes and conditions of Work and can be operated continuously to insert flanges or bushings in sheet metal walls by performing the perforating and embossing and the inserting steps all in one operation in a single stroke of the press. This is due to the fact that the instant invention takes into consideration all the factors which would tend to impair the operativeness of the mechanism and includes steps in its method and features in its mechanism which wholly eliminate all possibilities of failure. Accordingly, the method and mechanisms of the instant invention provide the first commercially sound, universally adaptable solution of the problem of inserting flanges or bushings in sheet metal walls in one operation.

A principal object of the invention is to pro-' vide a mechanism which can be operated continuously for the insertion of flanges or bushings of any desired size in sheet metal walls in one operation.

Another principal object of the invention is the.

provision of a method or process by which such insertion of bushings can be carried out.

Another object is to provide a method or peranism. whose parts are so constructed and related, that in the insertion of a flange or bushing in one operation the chances of wear and breakage of parts are reduced to a minimum and continuous operationis assured.

A further object ofthe invention is the provision of a die mechanism for inserting flanges or bushings in sheet metal walls in one operation, in which mechanism, provision is made, during all stages of operation, for the proper relation of the flange and wall to each other and to the parts of the die mechanism.

A more specific object is the provision in a single stroke operation for the insertion of flanges or bushings in sheet metal walls, of support for the flange or bushing to prevent it from being distorted during the first stages of the operation to such an extent that it will jam the die mechanism, injure certain of the most vital parts thereof or be precluded from being properly secured in place in the sheet metal wall.

Other objects of the invention will ,be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates and will also appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fi ure 1 is a vertical section of so much of one form of mechanism as is necessary to illustrate the invention showing such mechanism in neutral position with a sheet metal wall and flange poiormance, whose steps are so chosen. and a mech- The sheet metal wall of the container, or the like, to which the flange or bushing is to be applied is shown generally at I and isperforated to form an opening, whose initial appearance has shown at 2 in Fig. 2. The wall surrounding that opening is drawn into a neck shown in its final state at 3 in Fig. '8; while at'the base of the neck there is formed an embossing 4 of octagonal or other irregular contour. A flange or bushing,

in the embossing 4, but, in the system under consideration, acts as the male die in the formation of the embossing 4. The upper end of the neck 6 is shown at 8 as curled or formed over against the end of neck 3, which curling or forming is shown in itsinitial stage in Fig. 4 and in its completed stage in Figs. 5 and 8. A gasket 9 is received within the annular pocket formed by the flaring surface at the lower end of neck 3 and the opposed annular walls of the bushing 5 and its flange vI. This gasket is drawn into .tight leakproof engagement by the final curling or rolling of portion 8 and forming of the embossing 4 as shown in Fig. 5, wherein-the bushing is not only secured in position in the wall, but is drawn up tightly into the receiving pocket provided for it.

sitioned ready for the commencement of the securing operation; I

- Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 1 showing the position of the parts just after the first or sheet perforating stage of the operation has been completed;

Fig. 3 is a. similar view showing the position of the parts after completion of the next stage'in the operation in which the sheet metal wall has been drawn over the flange;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the position of the parts at the commencement of the curling or forming of the closure flange neck over the container wall neck;

Fig. -5 is a similar view, but taking in more of the mechanism, in which the securing of the flange or bushing to the sheet metal wall is in its last or completed stage with the embossing of an octagon in the sheet metal wall to embrace the octagon of the flange completed;-

Fig. 6 is a plan view looking at the upper die mechanism of Fig. 1 from underneath or as from line 66 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the lower die mechanism looking down thereon as from line 1-1 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sheet metal wall and flange secured together;

Fig. 9 is a detailed perspective view in section showing the manner in which the cams are mounted in the lower compression ring;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the cams itself;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view partly in section of the cam-follower-ring of .Figs. 1 to '7;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the cam of Figs. 1 to 7; 1

Fig. 13 is a perspective of the shim shown in place in Fig. 9;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showin a modifiedconstruction and;

Fig. 15 is a view of the modification showing the mechanism thereof in final position with the air cushion in part elevation and part section.

Where the portion 8 extends above the screwthreaded portion of neck 6, it is reduced in thickness from its inner side as best shown in Figs. 1

curling of portion 8 and eliminates cracking or scaling of this portion which might otherwise occur. While this particularrelation between the wall and 'the bushing or flange is pointed out in detail, the same is done in an introductory sense and in order to render the function and operation of the diemechanism more readily understandable, but it is to be understood that the principles on which the invention is based are not limited to the specific relation of parts shown or tothe securing of the particular bushing. shownin the opening in the wall as shown.

The-die mechanism of the invention is adapted for reception in a standard press so illustration of such press is not deemed necessary. This die mechanism consists of upper and lower parts which operate from opposite sides of the sheet to which the bushing is to be secured. The lower part is, as a unit, stationary though it contains movable elements. The upper die part is movable with the slidable portion or rain I0 of the press and it is through the movement of this part, as well as through the movement which its elements impart to the elements of the lower die member, that the perforating, drawing and forming takes place.

The main portion or shoe of the upper die part is generally shown at I I and has a shank I2 which is received in a recess such as I3 in the ram It being secured in place therein by a clamping plate, or like device. and the use of a clamping plate are conventional, form no particular part of the invention, and, of course, may be varied in accordance with the facilities afforded by the press which is employed.

A pressure ring I5 is mounted below the lower face I4 of the upper die shoe I I for relative movement with respect thereto. This pressure ring is guided and limited in its downward movement by bolts l6 whose cylindrical heads have a limited sliding movement in bores I'I formed downwardly from the upper surface of die shoe II'. These This particular securing bolts are threaded into the pressure ring and are locked in place therein by means of set screws l8 extending inwardly from the periphery of the pressure ring. In order to control the relative movement between the pressure ring l and the die shoe I l and to determine the force to be transmitted thereby, a series of compression springs l8 are provided having their upper portions received within bores 20 which extend upwardly from the lower face l4 of the upper die shoe II, The lower portions of springs 18 are similarly received within bores 2| which extend a short distance downwardly from the upper face of pressure ring I5. The number and size of springs I9 is determined by the force which it is desired to transmit. They may be centered on a circle whose center is on the axis of the die shoe or be placed in stag i red relation in separate concentric circles as shown in Fig. 6. Likewise the bolts l6 may be of any required number, though for the purposes of illustration four are shown as is seen from Fig. 6.

Extending into die shoe l I from the lower face I 4 thereof, is a shallow circular depression 22 whose center is on the center line of the die shoe M. This depression 22 snugly receives the upper end of a rolling anvil 23 which is generally cylindrical in shape and has an outer cylindrical sliding bearing surface 24. The lower end of this anvil is provided with an annular rolling or forming surface 25 generally are shaped in cross section, but whose inner wall departs from the arc into an inclined pickup portion 26 leading from the arc to a position in advance of it.

A stepped bore generally shown at 21 extending inwardly from the lower face of the rolling anvil has an enlarged entrant portion 28 and a restricted upper portion 29 between which there is formed an abutting shoulder 38. Another and vitally important feature of the rolling anvil 23 is the annular leading ring 3| which is formed on the lower end thereof between the entrant portion 28 of bore 2'! and the pickup portion 26. As shown, ring 3| is slightly in advance of the open mouth of rolling surface 25 for purposes which will appear hereinafter.

A perforating punch 32 having an upper portion stepped to co-mate with the stepped bore 2! in which it is received has a lower portion, on its larger diameter, extending downwardly considerably in advance of the lower end of the rolling anvil. This perforating punch has a cutting edge 33 which is the furtherest advanced of any of the elements of the upper die member. This cutting edge is shown as fluted at 34 for facilitating the perforating operation, but may be plain or of any other contour desired for effective operation. The perforating punch 32 is centrally bored to receive a securing bolt 35 whose head 36 is counter-sunk into the free face of the punch and whose upper end is screwthreaded into a receiving bore 31 in the upper die shoe ll, As is obvious from the showing in the drawings, bolt 35 not only holds the perforating punch 32 in place, but also due to abutting shoulder 30 and depression 22 locks the rolling anvil 23 in secure and exact position.

Mounted for vertical sliding movement onthe sliding surface 24 of anvil 23 is an upper embossing ring 38. This ring, which is generally annular in formation, has a flat upper surface 39 and at the inner edge of that surface an upwardly. extending mounting collar 40. This collar has a sliding surface 4| for sliding engagement with the surface 24 of rolling anvil 23, and

an outer abutting surface42. The ring 38 is secured to, in engagement with, and operates with, the pressure ring l5, This cooperation is provided by the pressure ring [5 having its lower and inner portion received against surfaces 39 and 42 of the embossing ring 38 and by bolts 43 (Fig. 2), whoseheads are counter-sunk into the upper surface of ring I! and whose shanks extend through the remainder of ring l5 into screwthreaded engagement with embossing ring 38. The embossing ring 38 is formed on its leading face with a clamping surface 44 which is the form the sheet metal wall I thereover. The horizontal face of this recess may be provided with upstanding letters or numerals, in order to impress indicia into the drum stock where the same overlies'the flange I. Recess 45 terminates at a circular bore 46 which is provided with a drawing edge 41 for a purpose which will appear hereinafter. Bore 46 extends inwardly a short distance and terminates at stepped shoulder 48 which forms the endof sliding surface 4|.

The lower die part (Figs; 1 and 7) is clamped in conventional manner to the bolster plate 50 of the press by means of holddown bolts 5| and clampi'ng plates 52. The bolster plate has an aperture 53 therethrough for purposes which will appear-hereinafter. Adjustment of the position of the lower die shoe 54 is provided for by the channels 55 at its ends which are bridged by the plates 52 and through which bolts 5| pass. These ends are in the nature of a flat plate having an upper surface 56 which extends outwardly from an upstanding annular ring 51. Ring 51 has an outer cylindrical wall or shoulder 58 and an inner cylindrical wall 59 which extends downwardly to a bottom surface 60 forming therewith a camfollower-ring receiving chamber.

A housing, generally indicated at 6| (Figs. 1 and 11) is formed to accommodate various elements of the mechanism, but for convenience it is referred to as the cam-follower-ring, This ring is received within the chamber just described. The outer annular surface 62 of said ring fits closely within surface 58 and its bottom surface 63 seats on the bottom surface 60 of the receiving chamber. The ring is held in plac in its receiving chamber by means of bolts 64 whose heads are counter-sunk into the bottom of the die shoe 54 and whose shanks are screw-threadedly received at 65 in the ring. In order not to confuse the drawings only one of these bolts is shown, though normally several would be employed.

The cam-follower-ring 6| is open through its center, as the name indicates, the opening being of various diameters at different positions in its extent. The smallest of these diameters is provided by bore 66 whose purpose is to allow passage of the slugs removed from the sheet by the perforating punch 32. At the upper end of bore 66 the diameter of the opening is increased and a shoulder 61 extends outwardly from the end of the bore to the next cylindrical wall which is indicated by.68. The wall 68, however, is not continuous for at three evenly spaced positions channels has vertical side walls II extending to the top of the ring and abottom II which is a continuation of the shoulder 81. These channels extend through totheoutside II of the ring.

Bores I! extend downwardly jfrom each surface H and in fact are continued'right .01 through the adjacent portion of die shoe gas shown in 2 bores w l. ppear with the bores 12 previously described. Bores I8 provide a follower surface-I1 at their inner ends designed to be engaged by a cam hereinafter de'-. scribed. In order to urge the latches inwardly, springs I8 (Figs. 1 to are provided acting against the rear surface I9 of the latch I3 and being maintained in proper relation with respect thereto by means of the pins 18. The opposite ends of these springs, which extend beyond the periphery '82 of the cam-follower-ring, are received within bores 88 provided in the adjacent portion of the ring 51' of the die shoe; while set screws 8| carrying locating pins 82 are threadedly received in the outer ends of bores 88 to retain the springs I8 in place and enable the tension on them to be controlled.

Each segment of the wall 68 (Fig. 11), is arcuately recessed at -83 in line with the small bore 84 which extends through from the surface 61 of the follower-ring to the bottom surface of the die shoe where such die shoe partially overlies the aperture 53 in the bolster plate (Figs. 1 and- 5). The purpose of bores 84 will appear hereinafter. At the upper end of surface 88 the cam-followerring i inset forming a shoulder 85 which extends inwardly to its termination in a vertical annular wall 86, which latter extends upwardly to the top surface 81 of the cam-follower-ring.

Carried on the seat provided by surfaces 85 and 86 is the laterally extending mounting collar 88 of a seating ring or anvil 89 whose top surface 98 is designed to carry the flange or bushing to be inserted (Figs. 1 m5). The seating ring 89 is held in place against seat 85-86 by means of a bolt 9I whose head is counter-sunk into and whose shank extends up through the cam-follower-ring GI through a threaded bore which emerges through surface as shown at 92 (Figs.'

anvil 89. However, the body of flanging punch 95 is slidably mounted with respect to surface 93 of anvil 89 and accordingly shoulder 95 is designed to slide out of setback 94 down alongside of surface 68 and vice versa. Shoulder 98 will also slide against the curved faces II of the assume. D

' latches "when such latches are drawn back a;

cause surface II to form a continuation of surface". i

The additional and important function per-;

formed by the flanging punch in the present construction is that of a support preventing too great inward collapse of the reduced end 8 of the flange or bushing 5 mounted thereover. To do this the.

flanging punch 98 normall extends upwardly through the reduced portion 8 and the very up-' per end of the punch is slightly above the upper edge of the portion 8. Thus, the upper end of the flanging punch is sized and positioned so as to limit the extent to which the reduced portion of flange or bushing 5 may be collapsed by the drawing of the perforated sheet thereover. This limiting position is such that the pickup portion 28 of the curling anvil 23 is readily able to take the end of reduced portion 8 from the upper end of the flanging punch even though the same be collapsed thereagainst. In order, however, for

the curling surface to come into engagement ing carried out. The surfaces 44 and I88 may ill also be provided with co-mating raised and depressed letters or numerals in order to emboss indicia into the sheet just outside of the perimeter of the flange I if such be desired. These indicia may be used in addition to those impressed by the upper surface of recess 45 or they may be used as alternatives thereto.

The ring 99 also has an inner surface I8I shaped to conform to the periphery of the flange I of the bushing 5. Below the surface I8I, ring 99 provides an inwardly extending lip I82 which is designed to slidably engage the outer surface of the seating ring or anvil 89. Compression ring '99 is precluded from rotating, as will appear hereinafter, operates to prevent rotation of the flange or bushing and therefore assure its proper relation with respect to the surface 45 of the embossing ring 38. In order to control the sliding action of ring 99 a series of springs I83 are provided (Figs. 1 to 5) for operation between thering and the cam-follower-ring 6|. These springs have their upper ends received in bores I84 formed in the underside of the compression ring and their lower ends received in bores I extending downwardly from the top surface 81 of ring 6|. Springs I83 are decidedly weaker than springs I9 because ring 99 is intended to yield readily under the force exerted by ring 38. Suitable guide bolts are provided for preventing compression ring 99 from sliding up-' wardly off the outer surface of seating ring 89 and preventing rotation of it, but the same are omitted from the present showing in order to prevent confusion. The bores for receiving such bolts, however, are shown at I8la in Fig. 9 and I85a in Fig. 11.

Another important function performed by the lower compression ring in the instant construction is that of acting as a carrier for the cams which actuate the locking latches 13. These cams, shown in detail in Figs. 9 and 10, have a 'body portion I86, a mount1n8 portion I 81 which asaaeeo tween surfaces H8 and Ill when the same is l necessary. This laterally extending portion I89 also provides the means to secure the cam in. place in aperture l 88 since it is bored downwardly from surface -I ID as shown at H2 and receives a counter-sunk securing bolt which extends through from the upper surface of ring 99 as shown at H3. Thus, a rigid mounting and certain securing is provided while still allowing for the introduction of means such as shims I l2a for making slight adjustments in the cam action should such adjustments be needed. On the bottom end of the cam body. I06 a leading or guiding portion H4 is provided which, in the neutral position shown in Fig. 1, extends completely through elongated bore 16 and part way into bore 12 therebetween. This leading portion. terminates in an angularly extending cam face H5 which forms the bottom surface of laterally extending portion I09,

In the neutral or initial position illustrated in Fig. l cam face H5 is set to commence at the entrant edge of'follower surface 'l'l though this relation is merely illustrative and may be varied by adding to or subtracting from shims H 2a. In the final position, as shown in Fig. 5, the leading portion 1 l4 has traveled considerably further into bore 12, while the cam .surface H5 has traveled over. the entrant edge of the cam-follower-surface 11 thereby drawing latch 19 against the action of springs 18. Hence locking latch 13 is fully retracted in which position it a has been held since the Fig. 3 stage, due to the engagement of the vertical outer surface l0 9a of portion 109 with follower surface 11. The same having taken place on all the three latches, or cam-followers, the flanging punch 95 is now free to be forced downwardly when its upper end is engaged by leading ring 3| of the rolling anvil.

In order to prevent the flanging punch from moving out of position too soon, some means must be provided to resist the action of ring 3|, but yet yield with it. As this means also acts to restore the flanging punch to its original position after the operation is completed, it must be indestructible and resilient. In the present instance this means takes the form of a heavy coil spring, though a rubber block would also be effective for a short time. In order to render the resilient means effective, three pins H6 (Figs. 1 to '5) are mounted to engage the underside of the laterally extending collar 96 and extend downwardly through recesses 83 and bores 84 into the aperture 53 of the bolster plate where they engage the uppersurface of a compression collar H1. This compression collar is slidably mounted upon a tube H8 whose upper end is threadedly engaged at H9 in an aperture in the die shoe which is concentric-about the axis of the die mechanism. The compression collar H1 has a, laterally exending skirt I28 around its bottom, the underface of which is in engagement with the upper end of the compression spring l2i. This spring is mounted on tube 8 and is held in place against the underface of skirt in by means of a retaining ring I22 which engages the lower end of spring l2! and is screw-threaded.

at I23 to the lower end of the tube H8.

n 5 bperation When it is desired to secure a flange or bushing of the character described in an aperture in a sheet metal wall, the ram of the press being in neutral or retracted position as shown in Fig. 1, the bushing, which is already supplied with a gasket 9, i slipped over the top of the flanging punch and the container wall I is inserted be-.- tween the die parts, being located by suitable stops which are normally provided projecting up from the. bolster plate. ,The action is nowstarted and as ram l0 descends, carrying with it the upperdie part, the cutting edge 33 of the wall. No such separate action is necessary, how- I ever, as the dies here described and blanking dies maybe carried by a single press ifit is powerful enough. n

. Once the sheet has been severed, it is engaged and clamped by clamping surfaces 44 and l 88 and on continued downward movement of the ram, as shown in Fig. 2, the portion. of the sheet between the perforation andthe clamped portion is engaged by the drawing edge 41 of the embossing ring 38, which drawing edge acts with surface 44 to pull the sheet over the corner 98 of the flanging punch and strip it down over the outer surface of the flange or bushing 5, as shown in Fig. 3. During this drawing action, however, it is obvious that the sheet will embrace the reduce portion 8 of the neck'li and tend to collapse the same. When this action does take place, however, the collapse is of limited extent, since the portion 8 will be arced inwardly at its top to engage the outer surface of the fianging punch at 91 (Fig. 2). This is the position in which portion 8 will be left after the sheet has been drawn down over it as shown in Fig. 3.

Were the flanging punch to remain in its original position, however, the collapse of portion 8 would render the picking up of the same by the curling anvil extremely difficult, for any anvil that would do it would have to have a sharp leading edge which would not stand up for any length of time under the-rigours of this operation. Accordingly, as clamping surface 44 acts against surface I88 depressing the lower compression ring 89, cams I08 will travel downwardly causing the cam face H5 to engage the mouth of followersurface I1 of the latches I3. Thus, by the time the sheet has been drawn to the position shown in Fig. 3, the latches 13 will have been drawn back out of the path of the collar 96 of the flanglag; punch, leaving the same supported by spring At approximately this position, the leading ring 3| of the rolling anvil will engage the top of the flanging punch and, as the action continues, push the same down to a suflicient extent that its top is withdrawn below the turned in end of portion 8. This allows the pickup portion 26, which is in 9 face itself. On continued downward operation of the ram the flanglng punch is pushed further out of the way, which is allowed by the compressability of spring I2I, and accordingly a complete roll or curl is formed out of portion 8 as shown in Figs. 5 and 8.

After the sheet metal wall has been perforated and while the neck is being formed in the same to overlie neck 6 of bushing 5, sufficient force can be provided without springs I9 being completely compressed. This compression of the springs follows no definite scheme, since the resistance of the outer wall of the bushing to the drawing of the sheet thereover is variable from one bushing to another. This variable even exists when described. Thus, this type of mechanism is a true alternative of the one heretofore described and each has its particular advantages under certain conditions. r

The sheet metal wall and flange or bushing to be secured thereto are, for the purposes of illustration, the same as those shown in Figs. 1 and 8. Hence the same reference characters will be employed thereon, but the elements of the die mechanism differ slightly in construction from those originally described and will accordingly be given bushings having the same corrosion resistant coating thereon are employed and, of course, a further variable factor is introduced when different coatings having different lubricating effects are employed as well as in situations where uncoated bushings or those dipped in a lubricating oil are being applied. Under the best conditions of lubrication, the spring may even give an added impetus by expanding a bit once the perforated sheet has its perforation drawn over the full diameter of neck'6, but as ideal lubrication is rarely encountered, this factor is of theoretical rather than practical importance. Powerful as the springs may be, they do not transmit sufficient force to enable theembossing 4, for reception of the flange I, to be made. This takes place during that last fraction of the movement of the ram which corresponds to the thickness of flange I and at a time when springs I9 are completely compressed with the upper surface of ring l5 engaging the lower surface I4 of the shoe II.

Thus, the embossing is formed by the direct action of the press without any cushioning effect. It is at this stage also that the indicia, if any be desired, are impressed into the sheet metal wall.

The securing operation being completed, the ram of the press starts to return upwardly, pressure is released from the flanging punch and from M odification The modification shown in Figs. 14 and 15 distinguishes mainly from the form heretofore described in that an air cushion rather than a spring or rubber block is employed to allow the movement of the flanging punch to the extent required for forming an effective union between the flange or bushing neck and the container wall neck therearound. When a spring cushion is em ployed, its unreliability makes necessary the use of some means, such as the locking latches already described, for locking the flanging punch in position until a certain phase in the operation has been reached. On the other hand, employing an air cushion gives assurance that the flanging punch will not yield until the predetermined force for which the cushion has been set has been applied. However, adequate air cushions with the attendant auxiliaries, such as the source of the compressed air, the regulating valve, gauge and the like, are expensive and might not be as readily adaptable to presses already in use as would be the purely mechanical die mechanism heretofore different reference characters.

In the modification of Figs. 14 and 15, merely a fragment of the upper die shoe, or'punch holder, is shown at I25 in Fig. 14. Mounted therebeneath, for the same movement with respect there-- to as is the compression ring of Fig. 1 with respect to its shoe, is a compression ring I26 which is held in aligned relation with I25 by guide bolts I21 whose heads I29 are slidably mounted in sockets formed in the die shoe I25. Resisting movement of the compression ring I26 towards the upper die shoe I25 are springs I29 of a size and location to suit the conditions imposed, as has been pointed out with respect to springs I9 of the Fig. 1 construction. Likewise, the lower.

face I30 of the die shoe and the upper face I3I of the compression ring are bored at I32 and respectively to receive the ends of the springs The compression'ring I26 is In the form of an annulus having as its inner face the cylindrical sliding surface I34 which terminates short of the bottom surface I35 of the ring due to the same being annularly recessed at I36. An embossing ring, generally shown at I31, underlies the ring I26 engaging the surfaces I35 and I36 of the same by portions I38 and I 39 which co-mate therewith. This mated relation is secured and maintained by a series of bolts I40, only one of which is shown in order to avoid confusion. The embossing ring I3I has an interior cylindrical sliding surface I which is co-extensive with the surface I34 of the compression ring I26. The bottom of the embossing ring provides a pressure surface I42 designed to engage the sheet metal wall being worked upon, and an octagonal or other irregularly shaped depression I43 designed to cooperate with the flange I of bushing 5 in embossing the sheet metal wall to receive said flange.

The lower face I30 of the die shoe I25 is formed with a shallow circular depression I 44 formed centrally thereof. This depression is of sufficient depth to receive and lock one end of anannular rolling anvil I45, which, in the present instance, is shown as double-ended. This anvil has a cylindrical external bearing or sliding surface I46 along which surfaces I34 of ring I26 and I H of ring I3'I sl de. The rolling anvil is internally bored at I4I. Each end of the anvil is provided with an annular channel I48 generally arcuate shaped in cross-section which commences slightly inward from the outer edge of the anvil and whose inner side merges into inclined pickup surface I49 whose nature and function is the same as the surface 26 of Fig. l. Lkewise pickup surface I49 terminates at its exterior in the leading ring I50 which is the same as the leading ring 3I previously described.

A perforating punch I5I having a perforating edge I52 and a securing shank I53 is mounted centrally of the upper die part and is retained in place by meansof a securing bolt I54 extendingpunch is received within the bore I41 of the rolling anvil, while the shoulder I56, in which that shank terminates, abuts against the lower face of the rolling anvil internally of the leading ring I50. In this manner, both the perforating punch and rolling anvil are positioned and secured in the exact location desired.

The lower die member has above its die shoe a guide or compression ring I60 retained in place by bolts I6I and urged upwardly'by springs I62' in thesame manner as is the ring 99 of Fig. 1. In order to assure accurate" sliding of ring I60 when its upper face I63 is engaged by the sheet metal wall I as the same is urged downwardly through contact with surfac I42, a bearing face I64 is provided thereon to slide along the outer face I66 of the lower anvil or seating ring I65 which serves to seat the flange or bushin 5. Above ment is restricted by the extent of channel: I95

. particular use, is more or less conventional.

face I64 the bore of ring I60 has aportion I61 4 shaped to conform to and slide down alongside the edge of the laterally extending portion I of the flange or bushingi. As ring I60 is precluded from rotating, portion I61 will thus preclude bushing from rotating.

The anvil I65 has a seat I68 at its top on which the flange or bushing 5 is mounted and has a.

laterally extending securing portion I69 at its bottom which is rigidly secured in place in a corresponding recess I in the lower die shoe I1I by means of securing bolts I12.

A fianging punch I13, to flange a neck up from Mounted on the top I91 ofthe movable cylinder I92 is a die cushion lift ring I98 whose top I99 engages the underside of collar I84 of ring I8I. The outer surface of ring I98 is recessed near its top as shown at 200 to allow for the flange I89 of stop screw I88. Ring I98 is slidthe container wall, having an opening in its top d1 awing action of the perforated sheet metal wall I over the fianging punch I13 and the flange or bushing 5. The portion I19 of the fianging punch just below the surface I18 acts as a support to prevent material inward collapse of the portion 8 of the flange or bushing 5 when the same is forced inwardly by the sheet metal wall I being drawn thereover. The fianging punch I13 is mounted on the fianging punch lift ring I80 whose ring portion I8I is slidably mounted within bore I82 of the die shoe Ill. The upper end I83 of the ring I8I provides the mounting for the fianging punch whose portion I15 rests on end I63. At the bottom ofring I8I there is provided a laterally extending collar portion I84 which is slidably received in an enlarged bore I85 of the die shoe HI and has an upper shoulder I86 engaging a similar shoulder I81 on the die shoe to prevent the ring I9I from moving upward beyond a certain position and consequently moving the flang ing punch upward more than is desired.

It is also desirable to prevent ring I8I and the fianging punch I13 from falling out through the bottom of the lower die member when the same is lifted from the press, so provision is made for this in the form of locking bolt I88 (Fig. 15) whose flanged head I89 extends inwardly at the bottom of surface I85, thereby engaging collar I84 and preventing it from falling therebeyond.-

As shown in Fig. 15, an air cushion, generally indicated at I90, is mounted below the die shoe or bolster plate of the press in conventional manner. The working parts of this cushion consist of a stationary piston I9I on which a movable ably mounted in the passage 20I formed through the bolster plate of the press. The bottom 202 of the ring is of sumcient extent at its engagement with the top I91 of the cylinder I92 to distribute the downward force applied over asufficient area of said cylinder to prevent its becoming damaged in spite of continuous use.

The operationof the modification shown in Figs. 14 and 15 is more simple than that of the form previously described. Once the sheet I has been punchedby perforating punch I5I, the upper die member continues to travel downwardly', whence surface I42 engages sheet I and forces it down against surface 163 causing the perforated portion of the sheet to be drawn over the corner I18 of fianging punch I13, thereby fianging the sheet surrounding its perforation. This flange engages the reduced upper end 8 of bushing 5 partially collapsing the same against the surface I19 of the fianging punch the same as is done in the form previously described. On

. further downward travel of the upper die member the embossing ring I31 and the guiding ring I are retracted against their spring actions so that leading ring I50 comes into engagement with the top of the 'flanging punch- I13. The force of this engagement steadily increases with continued downward movement of the ram of the press, since the ram carries the upper die member.

The resistance offered by the air cushion I90- transmits it to the fianging punch lift ring I80,

punch from the upper reduced portion 8 of the bushing 5 and thus to enable the pickup portion I49 to direct that portion of the bushing into the rolling surface I48 of the anvil I45. Thus,

the reducedv end 8 of the bushing is rolledover the end of the container wall flange or neck to make the product shown inFig. 8.

[cylinder I92 is mounted for vertical movement by means of wall I93 and tongue I94. This move- I96.. This becomes effective against the Once the Joining of the bushing with the sheet metal wall has been completed, the ram of the press will. retreat and ring I60 will be free.] to act as a knockout portion raising the container wall, thereby facilitating its removal. Since the air pressure on the air cushion I90 is maintained constant, cylinder I92 will move upward carrying with it ring lfllwhich-in turn carries ring 1 I80 so that the latter may restore the flanging punch I13 to its original position ready for repetition of the operation. As was previously pointed out a stop surface l8! was provided on the die shoe III, which surface is engaged by a corresponding stop surface I86 on the lift ring I80. These surfaces act as a control on the upward movement of the lift rings and flanging punch, thereby assuring that the flanging punch will be restored to the exact position desired for the suceeding operation.

While only two forms of structure have been shown embodying the invention, it is understood that other changes in details and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention "as defined in the claims.

Having described our invention, what we claim 1. In single operation die mechanism for applying flanged bushings to perforated metallic sheets, means to draw the sheet to a neck surrounding the bushing with part of the bushing neck extending through the perforation, means to roll the extending part of the bushingneck over the end of the surrounding neck of the sheet and means movable during part of the drawing operation to guide the extending part of the bushing neck into proper engagement with the rolling means, said guiding means being movable at substantially the end of the drawing operation to leave the extending part of the bushing neck free for' engagement by the rolling means whereby bushings may be seated in place in metallic sheets with uniformity.

2. In die mechanism of the character described, a stationary lower die member and a movable upper die member, an anvil for supporting a flanged bushing on said lower die member, a flanging punch slidably mounted within said anvil and normally arranged to extend above the top of a bushing supported thereon,

a ring on said upper die member cooperating with said flanging punch to flange a perforated sheet engaged there-between,-a resilient member mounted below said flanging punch and means operably supporting said flanging punch on said resilient member whereby a sliding movement of said flanging punch in response to the movement of said upper die member may be effected only against the action of said resilient member.

3. In die mechanism of the character described, a stationarylower die member and a movable upper die member, an anvil for supporting a flanged bushing on said lower die member, a flanging punch slidably mounted within said anvil and arranged to normally extend above the top of a bushing supported thereon, a compressed air cushion mounted below said flanging punch, said cushion having a stationary portion and a portion movable with respect thereto against the air pressure acting therebetween, collar means for operably mounting said flanging punch on the movable portion of said air cushion and means on said upper die member operable at a predetermined point in the movement of said upper die member for engaging said flanging punch to move the same against the resistance offered by said air cushion.

4. In die mechanism of the character described, a movable upper die member, a stationary lower die member, a seating anvil on the lower die member for supporting a flanged bushing thereon, a flanging punch extending above said seating anvil and mounted for slidable movement with respect thereto, a rolling anvil carried by the upper die member and a leading ring on the upper .die member operable in advance of the rolling portion of the rolling anvil to engage the flanging punch and move the same out of the path of operation of the rolling anvil.

5. In die mechanism of the character described, a movable upper die member, a stationary l'ower die member, a seating anvil on the lower die member for supporting a flanged bushing thereon, a flanging punch extending above said seating anvil and mounted for slidable movement with respect thereto, a rolling anvil carried-by the upper die member, a leading ring on said rolling anvil operable in advance of the rolling surface thereof to engage the flanging punch and impart slidable movement thereto and a guiding surface interposed between said leading ring and the rolling anvil to guide the end of a bushing neck from the surface of said flanging punfih onto the actuating surface of said rolling anv 6. The process of mounting an annular device in a perforated sheet metal wall which comprises, supporting the device at. one side of the wall, introducing the device into the perforation while limiting the extent to which the device may collapse until a portion of the device extends through the perforation, removing the limiting means from the extending portion of the device at a predetermined stage of the introducing action and forming the extending portion of the device against the sheet metal wall to retain the device in place therein.

7. The process of mounting a fiangedbushing having a reduced end in a perforation in a sheet metal wall which comprises, supporting the reduced end against collapsing inwardly, by resiliently mounted means, drawing the perforated wall over the bushing to form an embossing encompassing said flanged end and a neck overlying the body of the bushing with the reduced end of the bushing extending above said neck, overcoming the resilience of the mounting to remove the supporting means from the reduced end and rolling said end of the bushing over the adjacent end of the neck to secure the bushing in place in the wall.

8. In single operation die mechanism for applying flanged bushlngs to perforated metallic sheets, means to draw the perforated sheet over the bushing, with the bushing neck received in the perforation, means to form the bushing over the adjacent portion of the sheet to retain the same in place therein, and pressure supported means to retain the bushing in line with the forming means until the bushing is engaged with the forming means, said retaining means being engaged by said forming means, and the forming means exerting a pressure on said retaining means to move the same against the supporting pressure.

9. In single operation die mechanism for applying bushings to perforated sheets, means to form a sheet into a neck over the bushing with part of the bushing extending through the perforation, means to substantially prevent collapse of said part of the bushing asthe sheet is formed thereover and means for removing the preventing means from effective position at a pre-determined stage in the applying operation.

10. In single operation die mechanism for applying bushings to perforated sheets, means to shape the material of the sheet to receive the bushing with part of the bushing extending through the perforation, means to substantially prevent collapse of said part "of the bushing as the sheet is shaped thereover, and means for withdrawing the preventing means to render the preventing means ineffective at a predetermined v stage in the applying operation.

plying bushings to sheets of material, means to perforate the sheet; means acting during the single stroke of the mechanism to introduce.

part of the bushing neck into the perforation,

means forming part of said perforating means to substantially prevent collapse of said part of the bushing as it is introduced into the perforation and means for removing said preventing means from effective position at a predetermined stage in the introducing operation.

13. In single operation die mechanism for applying bushings to sheets of material, means to perforate the sheet, means to shape the sheet over the bushing with part of the bushing received in the perforation, means forming part of said perforating means and part of said shaping means to substantially prevent collapse of said part of the bushing as the sheet is shaped thereover and means for withdrawing said preventing means from effective position at a predetermined stage in the operation.

14. In single operation die mechanism for applying bushings to perforated sheets, means to seat the bushing in place in the perforation with a portion of the same extending through the perforation, means to limit the extent to which the said portion of the bushing may be collapsed by the action of the surrounding sheet during the seating operation, forming means for forming the extending portion of said bushing over the adjacent sheet and means carried by said forming means for moving said limiting means out of limitingposition at a predetermined stage in the operation to enable said forming means to operate.

15. In single operation die mechanism for applying bushings to perforated sheets, an apertured anvil for supporting a bushing, a flanging punch slideably received=wlthin said anvil and the bushing supported thereon and normally arranged to extend slightly above said bushing, pressure responsive means carried by said die mechanism and means interconnecting said flanging punch with said pressure responsive means for .controlling the sliding movement of said flanging punch.

EARL M. AMESBURY. JAMES G. MACORMACK. SEWARD M. ROBERTS. FLECK W. SAMPLE.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,325,929. Au ust 5, 191g.

. EARL n. AHESBU'RY, ET AL.

It is hereby. certified that error appears in the printed spec'ificatibn' of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, first column, line 25 for 'the rebet'ween" read --therebeneath-; and that the said Letters Patel-gt would be read with this correction therein-that the same mw-confom to the record at the case in the Patent Office.

Signed md'sealed this 29th day of February, A. D. 19141;.

Leslie Frazer (Se 0.1) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

